Optimus-Pessimist. A sports fan's explanation

RrSports Fans

 

This isn’t an essay that’s going to label different types of fans and define them.  That’s been done.  They’re all true mostly.  This is an attempt to stick up for a certain type of fan.  A level a fandom that I fall under.  A level that I’ve named, the Optimus-pessimist.  The educated sports fan that can also identify an issue when it’s presented and also feel the potential impending doom if it’s not corrected.

 

This isn’t to say I’m just a big negative Nancy about everything.  I’m a very positive person in many aspects of my life.  I’m a Christian and hold those values true to my life in all aspects, except sports.  Perhaps it’s my downfall.  But I have a hard time letting up considering that from as early as my mind could comprehend what was happening in a sporting event, I’ve been a fan.  All Dallas teams are my teams.  I live and die with those teams and I’m not ashamed to admit that.  

 

The latest streak of Ranger games has resulted in the team losing a 3 game lead in 4 days.  This presents a concern.  I’m not sure how one doesn’t understand that, but there arethose that see nothing wrong with it.  Upon raising these concerns on Twitter I’ve had a constant stream of negative feedback.  People are saying that the group of concerned fans are “giving up”, or “throwing in the towel.”  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Texas has a great team; they’re just slumping, at the worst possible time.  There’s also the group of fans that will say that they’re just “Happy to be competing in September” and that it could be “much worse.”  God bless those people.  If I had that mindset it would be much easier.  But in reality, that’s the same group of people that are happy with participation trophies and getting a ribbon for last place.  I hate to lose.  I don’t care if its beer league softball or watching my Cowboys get beat on Sunday.  It’s all the same.  I’ve developed a personal attachment to those teams that force me to feel the way I do.  

 

There are loop holes, for sure.  Take the Dallas Mavericks for example.  The 2 years after winning the NBA title they’ve been a mediocre team.  Sure, I’m upset about it.  But not nearly as upset as I would’ve been had they not captured the title in 2011.  So the last 2 years I’ve managed to deal with it and have defended the team on multiple occasions for blowing up that 2011 roster.  A great move, for the record.

 

But the Texas Rangers are a different animal.  They were locked in obscurity for years until that magical 2010 season.  Some say that we should be happy just to make it this far and be relevant for 4 consecutive seasons.  I find that mentality very weak, just my opinion.  ESPECIALLY given that the team was 1 strike away from a World Series, twice.  Also, they blew a division lead in the West last year with a week to play.  So when I see a developing slump in the last month of the season, like the one I see right now, of course I’m going to get concerned.  And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.  

 

Being the optimus-pessimist that I can be at times, I’ve learned that the wins are even sweeter.  The 2011 Mavs title was a glorious night.  The pessimist sports fan has a far greater passion for the game than the other fan types may realize.  When we win, it’s a release of built up aggravation, and in my case, in the form of sports tears.  Don’t ever question the fandom of the optimus-pessimist.  I never call out the positive rainbows-and-butterflies fan base until they attack the fans that show and admit concerns.  I don’t care if the team has had a winning record in August.  I don’t care if the team leads the league in runs.  I don’t care if the team has the lowest E.R.A in baseball.  All that matters is how they play these games in September. I don’t care what the saber metric spreadsheet shows you, it means nothing if you don’t win when it counts.

 

If moral victories are your thing in sports, then good for you!  But I don’t hang a newspaper clipping in a frame in my man cave for having a “winning record.”  I don’t/won’t tell my children, nieces/nephews, grandchildren of the time we almost made it.  I don’t tell them of the time we had a winning August.  The best stories are the ones where the team is holding the championship trophy at the end.  That’s what I care about. That’s what I want.

 

Perspective

I sat and watched my wife, Traci, and our daughter,Mackenzi, playing the other day.  Mackenzi was laughing and everyone in the room had smiles.  The cost?  Zero dollars.  

 

I walked outside at around 9:00pm one night.  It was warm.  It’s summer time and it’s to be expected.  The sun was giving its last breaths as it fell behind the horizon.  A few fireworks were spotted in the distance as 4th of July wasapproaching.  I smiled with contentment.  The cost? Zero dollars.

 

One morning I woke up and got dressed for work.  Before heading downstairs my youngest daughter, Piper, woke up and ran to me.  “Daddy, Daddy.” She said.  I checked her sheets, no pee-pee.  “You didn’t pee the bed Piper! Good job!” I said.  We high fived and laughed.  The cost?  Zero dollars.

 

Perspective.  It’s all about your perspective on life built by your relationship with Jesus Christ.  

 

Of course it takes money to pay the mortgage/rent/car note/groceries/bills.  We all know this. We can’t help but be motivated by money.  But it can’t rule your life.

 

The rat race keeps us moving constantly.  We chasepromotions, more money, better car, bigger house, latest fashion, and latest technology.  It’s all by design to take our mind off of things that are most important in our lives.  The chase of success turns into greed.  The greed turns into a variety of immoral decisions.  Wars are fought over greed.  Politicians are making important decisions that affect us all based on illegal under-the-table money transfers.  Hard working Americans are getting laid off due to companies employing outside of the country or going electronic all to save dollars.  Forests are being cut down to make room for shopping centers so that cities can become congested with population so that everyone makes more money.  Moms and Dads are traveling 200 or more days per year so that they can get that promotion at work, yet they’re missing out on their son’s championship game or their daughter’s balletrecital.  Is it worth it?  I’m not saying that you shouldn’t work hard or that you should drive your family to bankruptcy because you’ve taken less money or quit your job.  I’m only recommending that your focus not be on the financial gains.  Take a look at your parents, or grandparents.  Notice how they’ve slowed down?  Yes they’ve worked hard to deserve what they’ve earned.  But they realize that life is passing them by rather quickly.  

 

But why can’t we recognize this at a younger age?  

 

We’re all going to die.  It’s the honest truth.  It could be at age 99 or it could be in 2 hours.  It’s inevitable.  Where are your priorities?

 

“Set your minds to things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:2

 

“You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Luke 16:13

 

Isn’t that perfect?  God knew we as humans would be in this predicament.  He’s telling us to focus on him and on Godly things; family, love.  If your heart is elsewhere, then you’re headed down a slippery slope.  Take a look at today’s society.  There’s more focus on material possessions than ever before, and we’re in some of the darkest times in human history.  This isn’t a coincidence.Some people laugh at Christians when they offer 10% to tithe at church, as if the church is “pulling one over on those silly Christians.”  They’re missing the point.  God knows our heart is easily influenced by money.  If we’re comfortable enough to give 10% of the money we earn to the church, then we’ve successfully surrendered our dependency on money for the love of God.  That’s a win.    

 

Sometimes people think that being a Christian or that following the bible is just obeying a set of rules.  But I compare it to when my parents would tell me not to touch something hot.  It’s not because they were being mean, it’s because they loved me.  They didn’t want me to get hurt.  If they told me to be home by 9, it wasn’t to crack a whip and be a dictator.  It’s because they didn’t want me out at dark and putting myself into a situation where I might get hurt.  It’s because they loved me.  And God loves you.  

 

Imagine the thing that you love more than anything.  That’s God’s love for you.  That’s his love for everyone.  He’s laid the path and written the blueprint to show us how to live the best life possible.  He’s told us things to be aware of.  He’s told us what to avoid.  Life can be simple.  Everything, good and bad, can be beautiful.  It’s all about your perspective.   

Sports Matter, Sports Don't Matter......

​It’s the morning after a tough Cowboys and Rangers loss. First thought when I wake up is how rough a sports night it was. While getting dressed for work I’m streaming a Dallas sports radio station listening to them breakdown the Cowboys and Rangers looking for some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. My wife walks in and gives me the “you’re crazy” look. She doesn’t understand how big of a deal this is! The Rangers could blow the division! And the Cowboys just got embarrassed! Our pet’s heads are falling off! The world is ending!

Sports and I have an abusive relationship. She treats me like crap and I keep coming back because I hope that she’s nice to me at times. Either way, I love her.

But the bigger question is why does it even matter? Why am I so invested in what happens on the field/court with athletes that have no idea that I even exist? (Minus a few players that have responded to my tweets, they know me now). After days/months of trying to figure out why it matters so much I think I can describe it in the following sentence:

Sports are the most real thing that doesn’t matter.

Seems simple enough, right? Sports aren’t scripted and it’s no reality show. It’s the ultimate form of entertainment and the entire outcome is determined on the field/court (minus the NBA 2006 finals when the officials…….. STAY FOCUSED, TONY!) Yet sports don’t care if you’re on your knees and praying for a win. It will kick you when you’re down. If you find it hard to work the next day after a loss, sports don’t care. When tears stream down your face in defeat, sports moves on. Sports don’t pay the bills and sports don’t heal your flu. It doesn’t take your kids to daycare and it surely doesn’t mean that you don’t have to meet that work deadline. Sports can bring and take players and heroes in and out of your life in a split second, and never look back.

But sports are beautiful. It’s much more than a bunch of rich athletes running around. Sports are there as an escape when life is happening. Its pristine grass and stadiums filled with 16 to 100 thousand fans chanting in unison. Sports can bring you to your knees and it can make you jump out of your seat in a spontaneous moment of indescribable joy. Sports create the proudest of bragging rights between friends and people you’ve never met. A whole town, state, or country can come together because of sports. Sports can make you proud of where you’re from. A team that you’ve rooted for your whole life, through good times and bad, can make that one play or get that one win that your and your friend/family will talk about forever.

Nothing can top my faith in Jesus and the love I have for my wife, daughters, and family. Life goes on regardless of what happens with my teams. I’m still a husband and a dad. I’m a son, brother, and uncle. I’m an employee with the responsibilities of supporting my family. Sports don’t matter externally, but internally it means everything. Regardless of how emotionally taxing a season can be and how annoying I can be with my sports rants, it’s all in good nature. It’s a passion. I hope you can all understand.

Let's Go Heat! And here's why....

Call yourself a Mavs fan? Then root for the Heat.

Some of your minds are blown, I know. But just bear with me…….

Here’s an example that might clear it up, assuming you know anything about baseball and you’re a Texas Rangers fan.

In 2002, The SF Giants faced off against the Anaheim Angels. The hated Barry Bonds vs. the Rally Monkey Angels. Remember? I’m sure at the time, some Ranger fans were rooting for the Angels. What was the harm right? A lesser known team of scrappy ball players was making a run in October. Plus most of you all loved to root against Barry Bonds. But looking back, how dirty does it make you feel for rooting for the Angels in 2002? Now that the Rangers/Angels rivalry is heated up, I despise the fact that the Angels fan base has ammo in a sports talk battle. The dreaded, “We have a ring, how ‘bout you?”

What your point, Tony?

My point is that Lebron James is playing the part of Barry Bonds in these NBA finals. Hated and despised for their own separate reasons, but hated none the less. The OKC Thunder are the sweet little team that peaked a little earlier than planned like the 2002 Angels. 80% of Mavs nation is pulling for the Thunder. I’ve cleverly come up with “80%” based solely off text messages and tweets. But there is a healthy majority of Dallas Mavericks fans that are rooting for OKC simply because of their hate for the Miami Heat. The hate is deserved and warranted. But it’s misplaced.

My warning to you today is that in a few years when the Mavericks/Thunder rivalry reaches the level of Mavericks/Spurs, you’ll REGRET ever pulling for the Thunder. You’ll despise the fact that they have as many championships as our Mavericks. You’ll hear the Thunder’s new found fans talk trash and I guarantee you’ll hear this; “OKC has only been around for 4 years and we already have as many rings as Dallas.” (Although we all know they were the Supersonics before moving to OKC so the 4 years thing is a little skewed. But we wouldn’t expect a fan base like OKC’s to be clever enough to take that into consideration. Ouch! SHOTS FIRED!). Not to mention the fact that OKC has had minimal hardships on the way to the Larry O’Brien trophy, if they happen to win it. Look at our precious Mavs, YEARS of torture and heartache. Do we really want to see a young, cocky, brash, streaky shooting team from Oklahoma win a title? So easily? Nope.

Also, another reason to root for Miami is rather simple. By the Mavericks beating the Heat last year, it will make our title look even better. Miami would’ve taken down the favorites, OKC. The Mavs would be the only team to solve and conquer the 3 headed Miami beast. Our trophy will be shinier for this. Just trust me.

Mavs fans, think this through and root against the Thunder. Your future self will appreciate it.

Go Heat!

My Letter to Texas…….

It’s been 3 years since I’ve left you. As I watched the Dallas skyline disappear in my rear view mirror, Id by lying to you if I said a tear didn’t roll down my cheek. We moved away for special reasons. Reasons good enough to justify leaving, but it was still hard to do. I think about Texas every day. Every day I drive to work surrounded by Nebraska license plates, I think about Texas. Every day I hear these Midwesterners call a soft drink, “pop”, I miss Texas. Every time I’m forced to hear about Nebraska football in the summer, I miss Texas. Every winter that I have to shovel my driveway to remove 2 feet of snow, that’s when I miss Texas the most.

Texas is where I was born. It’s where I fell in love with the big blue sky and the massive night sky with stars that I swear I could touch. It’s where I watched meteor showers with my Uncle David and couldn't stop looking at the sky for hours. It’s where I spent summers at my Grandma’s house and played 9 inning baseball games in her yard, by myself. It was beautiful. Texas is where I would spend Thanksgivings and Christmas’ in Houston with my cousins and spend all our time making trails and playing football. Texas is where I would get the darkest tans and swim in the best swimming pools. It’s where the best sunsets happen over fields of bluebonnets. One of the best parts of life is sitting outside during the summer time at sunset and watching the light reflect off the clouds. If we were lucky, we could watch a thunderstorm roll in and enjoy the light show. The great state of Texas is home to the Hill Country with crystal clear rivers, and its home to the greatest city skyline known to man, that’s Dallas. Texas is where I met my wife, Traci. The greatest thing to ever happen.

Most importantly, Texas is where my family is. My Mom, Dad, and Sister. I miss them the most. But my Grandmas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, 2nd Cousins, they’re all there. It’s where my Grandpa’s are buried, some of the greatest men I’ve ever known. The state is special, it’s sacred. Texas is home to some of my greatest friends. Friends that I call family and that I would do anything for. It’s where I want my family to grow up.

Being away from Texas has helped me appreciate the place I call home even more. Food isn’t the same. Culture isn’t the same. People are nice here and I’ve made some great friends, but it’s just not the same. I was a sports fan before I left, but my passion for my teams has elevated even more once I was surrounded by Dallas Cowboys haters, or non Rangers fans, and worst of all, people that don’t watch the NBA. When I talk Mavericks basketball, they act like I’m speaking Spanish. (Leave it to me to bring everything back to sports)

We’ll be in Texas again one day. It’s just going to take some time. I’m a husband and daddy now and I have to make husband and daddy decisions. This is where we’ll stay until we’re at a place where it makes sense to move back. And for those of you still in Texas, just appreciate her. She's a special breed.

Until we meet again.

Pick Your Heads Up, Dallas

As the 4th quarter started on Saturday, I sat and watched the game with an apprehensive state of mind. Would the Mavs go out swinging and pick up at least 1 win in the series? Or would they fold and let the Thunder storm back in it with a fury? Well, we all know what happened. Shortly after the final buzzer, I just sat still with the sound off. My earlier yelling had scared my wife and she stayed in the bedroom so I had time for private reflection.

My first thought was obviously anger. I despised the fact that a player like Russell Westbrook was getting a chance to wrap the series up on our floor. I was angry that so many Mavs “fans” let their tickets go to OKC fans. I was upset that we blew a lead…..again. But a part of me was happy that this Mavs team was put out their misery. The whole season was full of heart break and disappointment. But the final buzzer on Saturday night finally pulled the Plug on this season that was on bed rest.

I keep a glass cabinet in my living room with my favorite pieces of sports memorabilia. As I sat and replayed the game in my head I looked over and saw the few sports illustrated magazines and the championship hat from last year. I couldn’t help but think about this time last year as we were finishing off the Trailblazers. We had no idea what we were about to experience. We had no idea of the amazing run that we were in for. My mind shot back to reality and I see the Thunder celebrating a sweep. My how things have changed in a year.

There are a lot of built in excuses for the Maverick’s 2012 Season. We all know the loss of Tyson Chandler was an issue, especially in the playoffs. We all know about the Lamar Odom situation and how it seemed to sabotage the season. A shortened season was also a factor due to the limited practice time. There’s also the fact that the Mavericks were the oldest team in the league. But with our cautious optimism, we thought that veteran leadership and experience would get us past teams in the postseason. “Just make the playoffs”. That was our motto all season as this team made it through the regular season. Well, we made the playoffs, but our Title defense wasn’t much of a defense at all. Other than 3 hard fought “moral victories”, the Mavs were sent home in the worst way possible……sweep.

It almost seems unfair that this team wasn’t allowed a fighters chance of a repeat. We lost important pieces of the roster before the season even began. But it also seemed that starting the day after our championship; the media was out to get this team. “Can the Mavs repeat?” “The Mavs got lucky and caught a Heat team that played badly.” Even during this season we had to hear Charles Barkley say that “Dirk is done.” We most recently had to hear Colin Cowherd say that “Dirk isn’t an elite player.” The Mavericks championship was tossed to the stack with the 2003 Marlins, 2006 Heat, 2000 Ravens, and other teams that got “lucky” or “one hit wonders”. It’s as if the franchise or the city isn’t sexy enough for the media because Dirk shoots jumpers and because we don’t have a player that dunks over KIAs. And don’t be fooled. This Mavericks team was counted out even before we lost Tyson Chandler. People still couldn’t believe their eyes as this team sent the Heat home in 6 games. We weren’t talked about as contenders for 2012.

Although I despise fans that always point to past titles during a sports argument, its 100% allowable in this case. Sometimes I feel that nobody understands or respects this team outside the city of Dallas and the few scattered Mavs fans throughout the nation. Even Dallas’ very own media personalities count this team out year after year. A majority of them were guilty of it even last year. That’s you TIM COWLISHAW! If an “analyst” or “expert” or anyone else tries telling you that this team didn’t deserve last year's title, or that we’re “one and done”, or that this team showed its true colors in 2012, be sure to remind them of one of the greatest playoff performances the game has ever seen in 2011. Be sure to tell them about the legend of Dirk Nowitzki who took a pay cut to make sure the team had enough play makers to win. What the common person or NBA bandwagon fan (98% of Thunder fans) doesn’t learn from the media is that outside of the Lakers and Spurs, no other team in the Western Conference has been as dominant in the last decade as the Mavericks have. They’ve had 12 straight playoff appearances which are second most to the Spurs and are one of only 3 Western Conference teams that have won a title since 1995. The Mavericks were once one of the worst sports franchises of all time. Dallas has dug itself out from the darkest basement to the top of the basketball world. So it’s a bit disturbing to see this franchise constantly treated like they’re at the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner. Always looking to sit with the big kids but getting patted on the head and being told to “run along” and play with the other franchises.

The Mavericks may look much different in November of 2012. It’s highly likely that we’ll be without Jason Terry and Jason Kidd. Oh, but what a ride it was. There will be a number “31” and “2” in the rafters when it’s all said and done. The Mavericks will have many new changes to the roster with the loss of free agents and with the acquisitions of new, younger talent. As great as the past decade has been, the recent sweep of the Mavericks should not mean doom and gloom. It’s only a speed bump on the road back to title town. We should all just trust that Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson will make the best decision given the financial resources. Its going to be a great off season.

Stand tall and proud, Maverick fans.
​

Its a flag football game....

It's simple. Those who freak out about how much of an athlete Lebron is based off of video from a flag football game, have NEVER played sports on their life. It's FLAG FOOTBALL!! Why was espn playing the Lebron/Durant flag football game highlights all last night?? Lebrons catches actually made the top ten list! Really? I used to make the same plays in intramural football every Wednesday night. No big deal. It's called being athletic. But it doesn't mean that you start drooling at the mouth saying that Lebron should play in the NFL and making a big deal over the fact that he can catch a football and outrun a bunch of kids. Plays like that are made all over the U.S. They're made on intramural fields, in streets, in backyards, at family reunions, and on Thanksgiving Days everywhere... All the time.

Who cares about lebron playing flag football and making routine plays? Apparently Espn does.